Game with swingably supported impact member

ABSTRACT

A pair of bases for stationary positioning in horizontally spaced apart relation and a support member for support in elevated position above the level of the bases and in an upright plane generally normal to a line extending between the bases and centrally intermediate the latter. An upstanding elongated tension member has its upper end attached to the support and a weighted impact member is carried by its other end with the tension member and the weight supported therefrom being swingable in pendulum fashion between the bases. At least one target member is supported on one of the bases for impact therewith by the impact member. The player stands on the other of the bases and releases the impact member for pendulum-like swinging movement toward the target member. As the tension member moves past vertical switches are actuated thereby to control solenoid actuated latches on the player&#39;&#39;s base. Actuation of the latches allows an upwardly biased assembly to move upwardly. Disposed on the assembly are one-way gate members which, when the assembly is in its raised position, allow the impact member to move therepast toward the player but prevent the impact member from moving back toward the target member. The assembly also includes a horizontally disposed bar positioned between the gate members and the player in such manner as to prevent the impact member from hitting the player.

[22] Filed:

United btates Patent 1 Morrill GAME WITH SWIINGABLY SUPPORTED IMPACT MEMBER [76] Inventor: Myron C. Merrill, 295 Outer Drive:

Venice, Fla. 33595 Aug. 27, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 175,614

Primary Examiner-Anton O. Oechsle Attorney-Clarence A. OBrien and Harvey B.

Jacobson 57 ABSTRACT A pair of bases for stationary positioning in horizontally spaced apart relation and a support member for support in elevated position above the level of the bases [11] dfifififilii June 12, 1973 and in an upright plane generally normal to a'line extending between the bases and centrally intermediate the latter. An upstanding elongated tension member has its upper end attached to the support and a weighted impact member is carried by its other end with the tension member and the weight supported therefrom being swingable in pendulum fashion between the bases. At least one target member is supported on one of the bases for impact therewith by the impact member. The player stands on the other of the bases and releases the impact member for pendulumlike swinging movement toward the target member. As the tension member moves past vertical switches are actuated thereby to control solenoid actuated latches on the players base. Actuation of the latches allows an upwardly biased assembly to move upwardly. Disposed on the assembly are one-way gate members which, when the assembly is in its raised position, allow the impact member to move therepast toward the player but prevent the impact member from moving back toward the target member. The assembly also includes a horizontally disposed bar positioned between the gate members and the player in such manner as to prevent the impact member from hitting the player.

6 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PATENIED 21973 mama GAME WITH SWINGABLY SUPPORTED IMPACT MEMBER The game apparatus of the instant invention has been primarily designed to provide an amusement apparatus which may be utilized by persons of substantially all ages. The game apparatus parallels the game of bowling in that an impact member is provided for impact with a plurality of target members. The target members are supported from a first base and the impact member is suspended from a tension member anchored to an elevated support disposed in a vertical plane spaced horizontally from the base. A second base is positioned on the side of the plane remote from the first base and includes a stop assembly supported for guided shifting between upper and lower limit positions and provided with a one-way gate structure disposed in the path of swinging of the impact member when the stop assembly is in its upper position and below the path of swinging of the impact member when the stop assembly is in its lower position. The gate structure is designed in a manner whereby it is operative to allow the impact member to swing therepast when swinging away from the first base and to stop and catch the impact member when the latter is swinging toward one base from the side of the gate structure remote from the first base. Further, the stop assembly includes an abutment on the side of the gate structure remote from the first base and operable to positively limit swinging movement of the impact member away from the first base.

The main object of this invention is to provide an entertaining game device that may be utilized by persons of substantially all ages.

Another object of this invention is to provide a game device which may be utilized inside a building as well as outside a building.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a game device including animpact member supported for pendulum swinging toward and away from remotely disposed target and player positions.

Another object of this invention is to provide a stop assembly adjacent the player position operative to positively limit swinging movement of the impact member away from the target area toward the player area and to subsequently catch and retain the impact member closely adjacent the player area as it swings from its limit position back toward the target area.

A final object of this invention to be specifically enumerated herein is to provide a game device which will conform to conventional forms of manufacture, be of simple construction and easy to use so as to provide a device that will be economically feasible, long lasting and relatively trouble free in operation.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof,

FIG. 3 is an elevational view of the player position or station structure as seen from the target station position;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the assemblage illustrated in FIG. 3 and as seen from the left side thereof;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary enlarged vertical sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 5-5 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary enlarged vertical sectional view taken substantially upon a plane indicated by the section line 6-6 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view taken substantially upon a plane indicated by the section line 7-7 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is an elevational view of the free end of the support beam illustrating the manner in which the upper end of the elongated tension member is attached to the beam for pendulum swinging relative thereto;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken substantially upon a plane indicated by the section line 9-9 of FIG. 8; and

FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic view of the wiring circuit of the game.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, the numeral l0 generally designates the game of the instant invention which includes a first base 12, a second base 14, an upright support standard 16 intermediate the bases 12 and 14 and an elongated flexible tension member 18 suspended at one end from the standard 16 and havinga weighted impact member 20 anchored to its other end for swinging in pendulum fashion between the bases 12 and 14.

The standard 16 includes a rigid. upright 22 having its lower end embedded in a ground anchor24. The upright 22 includes an upper section 26 disposed above the ground and a lower section (not shown) embedded in the ground anchor and projecting slightly upwardly from the latter. A coupling 28 is utilized to removably secure the lower end of the upper section 26 to the upper end of the ground anchor embedded lower section.

The upper end of the upper section 26 includes a horizontal arm portion 30 braced relative to the upper section 26 by means of a diagonal brace 32 and the horizontal arm portion 30 projects endwise outwardly from one side of the upper section 26 to a point intersecting a vertical plane extending through the centers of the bases 12 and 14.

Also carried by the free end of the horizontal arm portion 30 is a mounting bracket 34 including a depending portion 36 from which a pair of normally open push button switches 38 are supported including push button-type actuators40.

A single eyebolt 42 is secured vertically through the free end of the horizontal arm portion 30 and includes a lower eye portion 44 to which one end of a connecting link 46 is swingably anchored. An abutment block 48 is provided and has its upper marginal portion swingably secured to the lower end of the connecting link 46 as at 50 and the lower marginal portion of the abutment lock 48 includes an eye-type anchor 52 to which the upper endof the tension member 18 is secured.

The base 12 includes a hollow housing referred to in general by the reference numeral 56 defining four steps 58, 60, 62 and 64 extending horizontally transversely of a line extending between the bases 12 and 14. The step 58 is provided with a single opening 66 and a single guide tube 68 dependingly supported from the undersurface of the step 58 in registry with the opening 66. The step 60 includes two similar openings and two similar guide tubes while the step 62 includes three openings and three guide tubes. Further, the step 64 includes four similar openings and four corresponding guide tubes with the sets of openings and corresponding guide tubes of the steps 58, 60, 62 and 64 arranged, as seen from above, in the conventional pattern in which bowling pins are set up.

The steps 58, 60, 62 and 64 are arranged in a path generally paralleling the adjacent portion of the arcuate path through which the impact member is swingable and ten bowling pin defining target members 70 are disposed on the steps in position overlying the opening 66. An anchor and reset frame referred to in general by the reference numeral 72 is supported within the housing 56 for guided shifting in an inclined plane by means of support rollers 74 journaled from the frame 72 and rollingly engaged with an inclined interior panel 76 disposed within the housing 56. The upper elevated end of the panel 76 remote from the base 14 has a guide pulley 77 supported therefrom and a tension member 78 having one end secured to the upper end of the frame 72 is passed over the pulley 77 beneath a guide pulley 80 disposed beneath the housing 56 and a guide pulley 82 beneath the base 14. The pulley 80 is journaled from a ground embedded tension member receiving tubular housing 84 and the pulley 82 is journaled from the lower end of a protective housing 86 depending downwardly from the side of the base 14 remote from the base 12 and into which .the end of the tubular housing 84 remote from the base 12 opens, a fourth guide pulley 88 being journaled in the upper end of the housing 84 and the tension member 78 also being passed about the pulley 88.

Each of the bowling pin defining target members 70 is anchored to the frame 72 by means of a tension member 90 disposed in an upstanding position and having its upper end anchored to the lower end of the pin or target member 70 and its lower end anchored to the frame 72. Further, each of the anchor or tension members 90 includes a stretchable intermediate section 92.

The base 14 includes a mounting bracket 94 projecting upwardly therefrom to which the lower end of an operating lever 96 is secured and the mounting bracket 94 includes an upper portion 98 wiht which the lever 96 is abuttingly engagable to limit swinging movement of the upper end of the lever 96 in a clockwise direction to the position illustrated in FIG. 5. However, should the target members 70 be disposed in substantially horizontal positions lying upon the steps 58, 60, 62 and 64, the upper end portion of the operating lever 96 may be swung in the direction of arrow 100 in order to transmit a pull on the tension members 90 by rearward and upward shifting of the frame 72 in order to pull the target members 70 into the erect positions thereof illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 6 of the drawings. Of course, after the target members 70 have been pulled to upright positions, the operating lever 96 may be allowed to swing in a counterclockwise direction back to the position thereof illustrated in FIG. 5 of the drawings.

The base 14 includes a stop assembly referred to in general by the reference numeral 104 including a pair of opposite side uprights 106 and 108 each include a pair of front and rear vertical members 110 and 112 interconnected at their upper ends by means of a front to rear extending upper brace member 114. The vertical members 110 and 112 include grooved confronting edge portions in which the front rear edges of a pair of opposite side slide panels 116 are slidingly received for vertical shifting relative to the stop assembly 104. A rear upper bar 118 is secured between the rear upper portions of the panels 116 and a pair of elastic cords 120 are secured between the upper brace members 114 and the panels 1 16 so as to yieldingly bypass the panels 116 toward the upper positions thereof illustrated in FIG. 5 of the drawings. Further, a forward lower brace member 120 is secured and extends between the forward lower corner portions of the panels 116 and has a plurality of upstanding generally coplanar gate members 122 hingedly supported therefrom by means of resilient strap portions 124 secured to the gate members 122 and to the brace member 120. A stop bar 126 is secured between the panels 116 above the brace member 120 and is operable to limit clockwise swinging movement of the gate members 122 to the solid line positions thereof illustrated in FIG. 7 of the drawings.

As may be seen from FIG. 3 of the drawings, the gate members 122 vary in vertical height so that their upper edge portions generally define an arc whose center of curvature generally corresponds with the point of attachment of the tension member 18 to the abutment block 48.

The lower ends of the uprights 106 and 108 each include a solenoid actuated latch 130 releasably engagable with a depending latch member 132 carried by the corresponding panel 116. The bar 118 comprises a handle that may be utilized to depress the panels 116 to their lowermost positions illustrated in FIG. 4 of the drawings with the solenoid actuated latches 130 engaged with latch members or elements 132 so as to retain the panels 116 in their lowermost positions. However, upon actuation of the solenoid latches 130, the latch members 132 are relaesed thus allowing the panels 116 to slide upwardly under the biasing action of the elastic cords 120.

When the panels 116 are in their lowermost positions illustrated in FIG. 4 of the drawings, the upper edges of the gate members 122 are disposed below the arc in which the impact member 20 is swingable and thus the impact member 20 may swing forward over the upper ends of the gate members 122 from the position thereof illustrated in FIG. 5 of the drawings toward the base 12 and the target members or elements 70 positioned thereon. However, when the panels 116 are in their uppermost positions such as that illustrated in FIG. 5 of the drawings, it may be seen that the impact member 20 is caught by the panel members 122 and retained agianst swinging toward the base 12. Further, when the panels 116 are in their upper positions, the bar 1 18 is disposed in a position to limit swinging movement of the impact member 20 away from the base 12. Of course, before the impact member 20, when swinging toward the bar 118, can contact the latter the impact member 20 must engage and swing rearwardly to of the gate members 122 in order to swing past the latter.

With attention now directed more specifically to FIG. 10 of the drawings, it may be seen that the switches 38 are serially connected in a pair of conductors 144 and 146 connected in parallel to the solenoid actuated latches 130 which are grounded as at 148. The conductors 144 and 146 are connected to a suitable source 150 of electrical potential which is grounded as at 152 and each of the conductors 144 and 146 has a test conductor 154 connected thereto and grounded as at 156. The conductors 154 each have a test light 158 serially connected therein andeach conductor 154 is also provided with a push button switch 160.

The test lights 158 are provided whereby the operativeness of the switches 38 may be checked when the abutment member is engaged with and depressing the switch actuators 40 to insure that both switches 38 are fully operative thereby reducing the possibility of the solenoid latches 130 being actuated upon the depression of both switch actuators 40. The switches 160 are supported from a switch housing 162 carried by the lower end of the upper section 26 of the upright 22.

In operation, and assuming that the stop assembly components of the game are positioned as illustrated in FIG. 5 of the drawings, the person wishing to utilize the game may grasp the impact member and thereafter push downward upon the bar 18 so as to lower the panels 116 and latch them in their lower positions illustrated in FIG. 4 of the drawingspThen, with the gate members 122 thus lowered below the arcuate path 140 of swinging movement of the impact member 20, the person using the game may release the impact member 20 for swinging toward the traget members 70. After the impact member strikes the target member 70 the impact member begins its swing back toward the base 14. However, at the time the tension member 18 was swung slightly past the vertical position, the switches 38 were closed thus actuating the solenoid actuated latches to release the latch members 132 and allow the panels 116' to move upwardly under the biasing action of the elastic cords 120. This of course also raises the gate members 122 as well as the bar 118 whereby the impact member 120 will move past two of the gate members 122 and strike the bar 118 so as to limit rearward swinging of the impact member 20 and catch the latter to retain it in the position illustrated in FIG. 5 until the next time the panel members or panels 1 16 are lowered and the impact member 20 is released for swinging toward the target members 70. However, before the impact member 20 is again released, the lever 96 has its upper end swung rearwardly from the position thereof illustrated in FIG. 5 to again set the target members 70 which were struck and knocked down by the impact member 20 during the last play of the game. Of course, the bar 118 and the gate members 122 are automatically raised during each forward swinging movement of the impact member 20 so as to prevent the impact member 20 from swinging too far rearwardly on the return swing and striking a person standing on the base 14 and to catch the impact member 20 and retain it in the position illustrated in FIG. 5 of the drawings until the next play.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A game apparatus including a pair of bases adapted to be stationarily positioned in horizontally spaced apart relation, a support member for support in elevated position above the level of said bases and in an upright plane generally normal to a line extending between said bases and centrally intermediate the latter, an upstanding elongated tension member having its upper end attached to said support and a weighted impact member on its other lower end for pendulum swinging between said bases through an upwardly opening arcuate path, and at least one target member supported on one of said bases for impact therewith by said impact member, said other base including a stop assembly supported therefrom for guided shifting be tween upper and lower limit positions, said stop assembly including one way gate means disposed in said path when said stop assembly is in said upper position and below said path when said stop assembly is in said lower position, said gate means being operative to allow said impact member to swing therepast when swinging away from said one base and to stop and catch said impact member when swinging toward said one base from the side of said gate means remote from said one base, means operative to automatically upwardly displace said stop assembly from said lower position to said upper position in response to said tension member swinging past a predetermined intermediate position relative to said bases during its swinging from said other base toward said one base.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said gate means includes a plurality of upstanding stop members disposed in a horizontal line generally normal to said path and supported at their lower ends from said stop assembly for swinging about horizontal axes generally paralleling said line.

3. The combination of claim 1 including means yieldingly biasing said stop assembly from said lower position toward said upper position.

4. A game apparatus including a pair of bases adapted to be stationarily positioned in horizontally spaced apart relation, a support member for support in elevated position above the level of said bases and in an upright plane generally normal to a line extending between said bases and centrally intermediate the latter, an upstanding elongated tension member having its upper end attached to said support and a weighted im pact member on its other lower end for pendulum swinging between said bases through an upwardly opening arcuate path, and at least one target member supported on one of said bases for impact therewith by said impact member, said other base including a stop assembly supported therefromfor guided shifting between upper and lower limit positions, said stop assembly including one way gate means disposed in said path when said stop assembly is in said upper position and below said path when said stop assembly is in said lower position, said gate means being operative to allow said impact member to swing therepast. when swinging away from said one base and to stop and catch said impact member when swinging toward said one base from the side ofsaid gate means remote from said one base, including means yieldingly biasing said stop assembly from said lower position toward said upper position, and releasable latch means operative to retain said stop assembly in said lower position.

5. TI-le combination of claim 4 including means operative to automatically release said latch means in response to said tension member swinging past a predetermined intermediate position relative to said bases during its swinging from said other base toward said one base.

6. A game apparatus including a pair of bases adapted to be stationarily positioned in horizontally spaced apart relation, a support member for support in elevated position above the level of said bases and in an upright plane generally normal to a line extending between said bases and centrally intermediate the latter, an upstanding elongated tension member having its upper end attached to said supportand a weighted impact member on its other lower end for pendulum swinging between said bases through an upwardly opening arcuate path, and at least one target member supported on one of said bases for impact therewith by said impact member, said other base including a stop assembly supported therefrom for guided shifting be tween upper and lower limit positions, said stop assembly including stop means disposed in said path when said stop assembly is in said upper position and below said path when said stop assembly is insaid lower position, and means operative to automatically upwardly displace said stop assembly from said lower position to said upper position in response to said tension member swinging past a predetermined intermediate position relative to said bases during swinging of said impact member from said one base. 

1. A game apparatus including a pair of bases adapted to be stationarily positioned in horizontally spaced apart relation, a support member for support in elevated position above the level of said bases and in an upright plane generally normal to a line extending between said bases and centrally intermediate the latter, an upstanding elongated tension member having its upper end attached to said support and a weighted impact member on its other lower end for pendulum swinging between said bases through an upwardly opening arcuate path, and at least one target member supported on one of said bases for impact therewith by said impact member, said other base including a stop assembly supported therefrom for guided shifting between upper and lower limit positions, said stop assembly including one way gate means disposed in said path when said stop assembly is in said upper position and below said path when said stop assembly is in said lower position, said gate means being operative to allow said impact member to swing therepast when swinging away from said one base and to stop and catch said impact member when swinging toward said one base from the side of said gate means remote from said one base, means operative to automatically upwardly displace said stop assembly from said lower position to said upper position in response to said tension member swinging past a predetermined intermediate position relative to said bases during its swinging from said other base toward said one base.
 2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said gate means includes a plurality of upstanding stop members disposed in a horizontal line generally normal to said path and supported at their lower ends from said stop assembly for swinging about horizontal axes generally paralleling said line.
 3. The combination of claim 1 including means yieldingly biasing said stop assembly from said lower position toward said upper position.
 4. A game apparatus including a pair of bases adapted to be stationarily positioned in horizontally spaced apart relation, a support member for support in elevated position above the level of said bases and in an upright plane generally normal to a line extending between said bases and centrally intermediate the latter, an upstanding elongated tension member having its upper end attached to said support and a weighted impact member on its other lower end for pendulum swinging between said bases through an upwardly opening arcuate path, and at least one target member supported on one of said bases for impact therewith by said impact member, said other base including a stop assembly supported therefrom for guided shifting between upper and lower limit positions, said stop assembly including one way gate means disposed in said path when said stop assembly is in said upper position and below said path when said stop assembly is in said lower position, said gate means being operative to allow said impact member to swing therepast when swinging away from said one base and to stop and catch said impact member when swinging toward said one base from the side of said gate means remote from said one base, including means yieldingly biasing said stop assembly from said lower position toward said upper position, and releasable latch means operative to retain said stop assembly in said lower position.
 5. THe combination of claim 4 including means operative to automatically release said latch means in response to said tension member swinging past a predetermined intermediate position relative to said bases during its swinging from said other base toward said one base.
 6. A game apparatus including a pair of bases adapted to be stationarily positioned in horizontally spaced apart relation, a support member for support in elevated position above the level of said bases and in an upright plane generally normal to a line extending between said bases and centrally intermediate the latter, an upstanding elongated tension member having its upper end attached to said support and a weighted impact member on its other lower end for pendulum swinging between said bases through an upwardly opening arcuate path, and at least one target member supported on one of said bases for impact therewith by said impact member, said other base including a stop assembly supported therefrom for guided shifting between upper and lower limit positions, said stop assembly including stop means disposed in said path when said stop assembly is in said upper position and below said path when said stop assembly is in said lower position, and means operative to automatically upwardly displace said stop assembly from said lower position to said upper position in response to said tension member swinging past a predetermined intermediate position relative to said bases during swinging of said impact member from said one base. 